Episodes

It was a chaotic and confusing day in Parliament on Thursday that had even seasoned political watchers scratching their heads. While both parties claimed the other was playing politics, in reality both were using every tactic in the book to get what they wanted. Fran and PK are here with a special episode to unpack and explain the final sitting day of the year of Parliament.

The Prime Minister is turning up the heat on the Opposition as he faces losing a vote on the floor of the House of Reps. The last time that happened was almost 90 years ago and, spoiler alert, it didn't end well for that Government. Scott Morrison says he'll use every tool available to stop Labor "playing politics" with national security and border protection. But with the numbers in flux and the crossbench in revolt, can the Government hang on? Sky News Political Editor David Speers joins...

There's deepening chaos and despair amongst government MPs, still processing their crushing defeat in the Victorian State election. The Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced a date for the budget and a timeline for the election. But the shock resignation of Julia Banks from the Liberal Party obliterated his efforts to regain control. The government plans to go to the polls in May next year, but can it survive that long? Laura Tingle, Chief Political Correspondent for ABC 7:30, joins the...

It's nearly Christmas time, but the mood in the Liberal and National parties is anything but festive. The Coalition lost its majority in the House after Wentworth, and the cross bench is getting ready to test its strength. Meanwhile a fresh battle is brewing in the Coalition over whether to move Australia's embassy in Israel. It's going to be a long final couple of weeks for the Government. Karen Middleton, the Chief Political Correspondent for The Saturday Paper is The Party Room's guest....

The Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been talking tough on Islamist terrorism in the wake of the Bourke St attack, where one person was killed and two others injured. With the Victorian State election just days away, how will the incident play into the campaign where people have already started voting? ABC Radio Melbourne Drive presenter Rafael Epstein joins The Party Room.

In his first real comments since being ousted, the former PM dropped some truth bombs and defended his legacy. Malcolm Turnbull named colleagues and Cabinet ministers who voted for the leadership spill, and called on them to explain themselves. He said their actions blew up the Liberal Party and damaged the country. In this special episode, Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas dissect the former PM's performance, and wonder what it'll mean for the Coalition. Tweet #ThePartyRoom or send an email...

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been on a tour of marginal Queensland, but it’s his bus that’s getting the attention. Also, Canberra is taking advantage of improving China relations, but has Victoria's decision to sign on to the controversial Belt and Road infrastructure program undermined their efforts? Channel Nine Political Editor Chris Uhlmann joins Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas. Tweet #ThePartyRoom or send an email to ThePartyRoom@abc.net.au And some special news: we'll have an...

The Federal Government has announced plans to have all children off Nauru by Christmas, but where will they go? And Malcolm Turnbull appears to have saved the Indonesia Free Trade Agreement, but no-one in the Coalition is thanking him for it. ABC Political Editor Andrew Probyn joins Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas. Tweet #ThePartyRoom or send an email to ThePartyRoom@abc.net.au

Cross-party talks on a deal to get asylum seeker kids off Nauru have broken down, so was it all just for Wentworth? Scott Morrison is promising lower power prices, but climate change is off the agenda. ABC Insiders host Barrie Cassidy joins Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas. Tweet #ThePartyRoom or send an email to ThePartyRoom@abc.net.au

Australia is headed for minority government after voters in the blue ribbon seat of Wentworth dealt the Coalition a stunning rebuke. While votes are still being counted, the Independent Dr Kerryn Phelps is expected to win. Already the blame game has begun. Is it Turnbull's fault for not doing more to publicly support Liberal candidate Dave Sharma? Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas bring you this by-election special, and what it means for the political landscape. Tweet #ThePartyRoom or send an...

It hasn't been the best week for the Federal Government, as it fights to hold the seat of Wentworth. The Government floated the idea of moving the Australian embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, and made a big "administrative error" in the Senate. And could 2018 deliver another leadership change? The National Party contemplates replacing Michael McCormack. Peter Van Onselen, columnist with The Australian, joins Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas on The Party Room. Tweet #ThePartyRoom or send an...

The fallout from the unexpected sacking of ABC Managing Director Michelle Guthrie has claimed the scalp of Chairman Justin Milne. The saga has also raised questions about political interference at the national broadcaster. Channel Nine Political Editor Chris Uhlmann joins Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas on The Party Room. Tweet #ThePartyRoom or send an email to ThePartyRoom@abc.net.au.

What role did media barons Rupert Murdoch and Kerry Stokes play in the leadership spill that toppled Malcolm Turnbull? And the 'woman problem' that won't go away: another female Liberal MP calls time on her political career citing bullying and undermining. The ABC's Political Editor Andrew Probyn joins Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas on The Party Room. Tweet #ThePartyRoom or send an email to ThePartyRoom@abc.net.au.

A date has been set for the Wentworth by-election, but the government is still struggling with the fallout from the leadership spill. Meanwhile, an extraordinary war of words has erupted between the Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton and the former Border Force Commissioner Roman Quaedvleig. The ABC's National Affairs Correspondent Greg Jennett joins Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas on The Party Room. Tweet #ThePartyRoom or send an email to ThePartyRoom@abc.net.au.

A Liberal Party Senator has threatened to name those accused of bullying female MPs during the leadership spill. It's another distraction for Prime Minister Scott Morrison as he attempts to unite his party and define his leadership. Phil Coorey, Chief Political Correspondent with the Australian Financial Review, joins Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly on The Party Room. Tweet #ThePartyRoom or send an email to ThePartyRoom@abc.net.au.

The new Prime Minister Scott Morrison is preaching a message of unity as he attempts to heal the divisions in the Liberal Party. But the fallout from last week's leadership crisis is continuing to spread, with one MP announcing she won't contest the next election. Malcolm Farr, National Political Editor with news.com.au, joins Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas on The Party Room. Tweet #ThePartyRoom or send an email to ThePartyRoom@abc.net.au.

The Liberal Party leadership crisis has come to a head with the resignation of Malcolm Turnbull. Former Treasurer Scott Morrison took the top job, and Josh Frydenberg is his deputy. They've described themselves as "the new generation" and told voters that "we are on your side", but can they heal the deep divisions in the government? Join Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas for this special edition of The Party Room. Tweet #ThePartyRoom or send an email to ThePartyRoom@abc.net.au.

On Thursday morning, the second challenge to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's leadership was launched. Senior ministers resigned and withdrew their support from Malcolm Turnbull, and the business of government ground to a halt. Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas caught up to record a special, one hour, edition of The Party Room. Tweet #ThePartyRoom or send an email to ThePartyRoom@abc.net.au. (Audio has been reissued. The full podcast is now available)

The Prime Minister's leadership is facing its greatest threat, after Malcolm Turnbull narrowly survived a surprise challenge from Peter Dutton. With a second leadership ballot potentially just a few days away, Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas analyse how it's likely to play out. Tweet #ThePartyRoom or send an email to ThePartyRoom@abc.net.au.

Federal politicians of all stripes have reacted with outrage over the sentiments expressed by Katter's Australia Party Senator Fraser Anning in his maiden speech. Senator Anning praised the White Australia policy and called for the return of an immigration system based on race and religion. The Guardian's Political Editor Katharine Murphy joins Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas on The Party Room. Tweet #ThePartyRoom or send an email to ThePartyRoom@abc.net.au.